Tangled Web (The Arrynna Doe Trilogy #1)

By L.W. Tichy

"Any reader with a love for faeries, magic, and sometimes dark character motivations will love Tangled Web." - Online Book Club

"An engaging, provocative story that you can't put down." - Reader's Favorite

"I couldn't put it down... This is a must read for anyone who enjoys fantasy." Carrie Rachelle Johnson, author of Journey to Glory.

When fifteen year old foster kid and diagnosed schizophrenic, Ryne, bumps into a strange man only she can see, the carefully constructed pretenses of her life start to crumble, forcing Ryne to choose between the safe, mundane, mortal world that’s labeled her crazy, or the magickal world of nightmares she has spent her life pretending doesn’t exist.

The truth will set you free. Not. At least, not for Arrynna Doe. The only thing the truth will bring Ryne is a straight jacket and a room at the local, state funded institution, again. So she lies- to her doctors, to her foster parents, to her best friend. Because, really, who’s going to believe there is a whole world filled with terrifying magickal creatures only she can see- faeries, witches, vampires, and werewolves, even dragons? That’s right, nobody!

Ryne has her routine mastered- pretend you’re normal, lie to everyone you know, ignore supernatural beings. And the routine works, until the day she acquires stalkers. Faerie stalkers.

As Ryne struggles to keep her days normal, she finds herself questioning the tenets’ of her life. Why can she see things that no one else can and why are these creatures suddenly interested in her? Because maybe there is more to it all than she ever dreamed.

Will she discover the truth? Or is she just as crazy as the doctors have always said? Either way, Ryne is facing a crossroads, and pretty soon she’s going to have to make a choice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.W. Tichy
• Release date: Sep 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370770915

L.W. Tichy

This is L.W. Tichy's first novel. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their crazy black lab. She spends her days writing and her evenings reading, occasionally remembering that there is a world outside her head.

Book preview

Tangled Web

By L.W. Tichy

Book One in the Arrynna Doe Trilogy

Text copyright © 2015 L.W.Tichy

All Rights Reserved

Cover Design:

Aaron Tichy

Editor:

Lauren Bromley

In loving memory of

Thomas Roy Westbrook.

One of the first and greatest lessons you taught me was that a well learned mind is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Thank you PopPop, for your love, for your guidance, and for your beautiful example of a life well lived. You are loved, you are missed.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Table of Contents

Epigraph

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

"Oh! What a tangled web we weave,

When first we practice to deceive."

-Sir Walter Scott

Prologue

Dr. Wolfensburg? asked the potbellied man standing by the hospital’s front desk.

Yes? What can I do for you? replied the man in question.

I’m Warren Filt, with Social Services. I’m here to pick up the baby who was brought in last week, explained the social worker, distractedly cleaning his already spotless glasses.

Of course! Please come with me, answered the doctor amicably, heading toward an elevator. The nursing staff will be sad to see Rynnie go. So will I, actually. She’s a wonderful child… never fusses. Beautiful little thing, too. Almost too beautiful, if that makes sense. You’ll see what I mean when you hold her. Something about Ryne just… entrances you. It will be sad having her gone; we’ve all grown a little attached.

Mm-hmm, murmured Mr. Filt, frowning as he stepped into the elevator with the physician. "I’m sorry, Dr. Wolfensburg, but did I hear you call the child Rynnie?"

Yes. He chuckled. One of the nurses decided to nickname her, and it seems to have stuck.

You named her? questioned the social worker, sounding annoyed. You do realize that provides an unhealthy sense of attachment for both parties? We strongly advise against doing so. That is something my office will see to.

Yes, replied the doctor, rolling his eyes. "However, we didn’t name her."

"I’m afraid I don’t follow, Dr. Wolfensburg. You said a nurse nicknamed the infant."

Yes. A nickname created from her actual name, he explained, suppressing a sigh as he stepped off the elevator. "Mr. Filt, how familiar are you with Rynnie’s case?"

As a pediatrician in this part of town, I am sure you are aware of how busy our offices get, snapped Mr. Filt, not liking the doctor’s implication. I was given this case ten minutes before I left for the hospital!

I see, answered Dr. Wolfensburg, sounding clipped as he tried to suppress his frustration with the man. Rynnie was found with a piece of jewelry with an inscription on it—Arrynna. The police tried to use it to track down her family but were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, it was assumed that was her name. Considering what a mouthful it is, the nurses shortened it.

"Yes, well…as I explained, our offices do get busy," Filt remarked by way of apology, once again cleaning his immaculate glasses.

The doctor decided not to comment as he led the social worker into the nursery. Spotting the child, he smiled. She was like no infant he had ever before treated, with her wide, cobalt eyes, her soft, dark curls, her delicately pointed chin, and her sharp, prominent cheekbones, she was somehow both fierce and fragile looking. She invoked in him an almost primal desire to protect.

This is our little Rynnie, said the doctor as he looked down into the infant’s large, enchanting, blue eyes.

She’s the state’s ‘little Rynnie’ now, Mr. Filt murmured almost affectionately, as he too was drawn in by the babe’s bewitching gaze.

***

Dr. James Hazen set his briefcase down by the coat closet as he swung the door shut behind him. It had been a long day. He didn’t regret his decision to council children instead of adults, but some days more than others it wore on him. Glad to be home, he quietly made his way into the kitchen and snaked his arms around his wife’s waist from behind. He smirked as she gasped, the plate she had been cleaning slipping back into the soapy water.

Jimmy! she exclaimed, trying and failing to keep the smile out of her voice. One of these days I’m going to break something when you do that!

Worth it, he murmured, kissing the side of her neck. How are the kids?

Outside, she replied, leaning back against him.

I can see that. He smiled as he watched through the window, his son and daughter playing in the sandbox. "I asked how they were, not where."

They’re fine, which you can see as well. Though—she frowned as she looked at her three-year-old daughter—Rynnie had a bit of a fright.

Another episode? he clarified, concern in his voice. What happened?

She wouldn’t say. She never does; you know that. She just started crying and insisted Jack bring her inside. She was hysterical…more so than usual. I almost called you. Thank God she finally calmed and Jack and I managed to coax her back outside, but… She’s been really subdued since… I know we’ve never really pushed her to talk about these episodes, that you felt it would be better for her to tell us when she was ready but… This time was different, Jimmy—worse. It scared me, she admitted. 

James frowned. He didn’t want to worry his wife—Sara had always been delicate—but Rynnie’s episodes, as they had dubbed them, were starting to scare him, too. She had always had night terrors from the first evening they had brought her home. Rynnie had been eight months old then. James had written them off as a normal part of her development, though. After all, most kids had them at some point. He had been certain she’d grow out of them in time. Then the panic attacks and the hysterics had started during the day for no discernable reason, and she had been too young to tell them why. Still, he hoped time would cure it. Time was better than the alternative. Lately though, Rynnie’s episodes had become worse, almost violent. Just the week before, James had to restrain her during an episode to keep her from hurting herself. He had almost taken her to the hospital, fearing she needed sedation. Eventually, Rynnie calmed—though she refused to let go of him for hours, keeping her little head buried in the crook of his neck. To his immense relief, Sara had been out of town visiting her mother. His biggest worry was that, lately, he had even seen her talking to empty air. James wanted to write it off as an imaginary friend, but his instinct told him it was more. Instinct told him that he had let things go for far too long.

I’ll talk to her. I’ve been considering it for a while, actually. I think she’s old enough. God knows she’s smart enough. It’s time we figure out what causes these…frights, he assured his wife. Speaking of our Rynnie, though… The social worker called. He’s starting the adoption paperwork today.

Oh, Jimmy! she exclaimed, turning in his hold and throwing her arms around him, a happy sob escaping her.

He let out a laugh and grabbed a tissue from the counter. Here, Sara.

Thanks, she told him, dabbing at her streaming eyes. She smiled. I’m so happy.

Me too. He smiled back. How should we celebrate?

Cake! she announced. Rynnie loves cake, and dinner has a little ways to go; I should have enough time.

Have fun, Martha Stewart. He grinned, giving her a quick kiss. I’m going to see the kids.

Jimmy stepped out back to two enthusiastic shouts of, Daddy!

Anticipating the whirlwind, he bent down in just enough time to scoop them both up.

Mama’s making spa-squetti! was his five-year-old son’s greeting.

"It’s spaghetti," he corrected.

That’s what I said—spa-squetti!

Jimmy smiled. She’s making cake, too.

Really?

Why don’t you give her a hand? he suggested, lowering the boy back to the ground.

Okay! he shouted, racing back into the house.

Did you miss me, princess? he asked the little girl who had stolen both his and Sara’s hearts two years before.

She nodded, snuggling into him, and said, Are we gonna talk, Daddy?

Yes, ma’am, he confirmed, carrying her over to the porch swing.

I don’t wanna talk ‘bout it! she declared, popping her thumb into her mouth.

It was a habit Sara and he had been trying to break. Rynnie always started to suck her thumb when she was upset, instead of talking to them. For James, it was an indicator that she needed to talk, whether she wanted to or not. He just hoped that, eventually, she would take comfort in talking to them instead of hiding behind her thumb.

But we’re going to talk about it anyway, he told her, pulling her thumb free as he sat down.

I know. She sighed, sounding—as she often did—a lot older than three.

You were scared earlier.

She nodded. "Wearwy scared."

You know it scares me and Mama when that happens?

Her eyes grew wide and she shook her head adamantly. I don’t mean to, Daddy.

Once again her thumb found its way to her mouth. And, once again, Jimmy pulled it free.

I know, sweetheart. We aren’t mad at you, he assured the girl. We just want to help you not be scared anymore.

"You can’t," she whispered, seeking comfort in her thumb again.

Now, I remember you telling me that daddies could do anything. He smiled, patiently freeing her thumb once more.

She scrunched up her face at him, clearly in deep thought, absently twisting her dark curls. Jimmy waited for his daughter to decide, a small, amused grin on his face.

Anyfing but dat, she finally declared. This time he caught her thumb before it reached her mouth and held it firmly in his hand.

We can’t know that until we try. Why don’t you tell me, Rynnie, and we’ll see if I can fix it?

I’m scarwed, she whispered, an edge of panic to her tone.

You’re scared to tell me? he clarified. She nodded. Princess, you know you can tell me anything.

She nodded forlornly but didn’t say anything more.

Rynnie, you have to tell Daddy what scares you so bad, he ordered, deepening his voice slightly.

Rynnie looked up, her lower lip trembling, and whispered, "Have to?"

She already knew the answer though; whenever her daddy used that tone, it meant no more arguing.

Have to, he confirmed.

She started crying. She was scared to talk about what scared her. She was afraid Daddy wouldn’t believe her!

It’s all right, princess, he soothed, wrapping his arms around her.

P-pwomise you’ll believe me, and won’t get mad? she hiccupped into his shirt.

Of course I’ll believe you, he insisted, surprised by her worry. And why would I get mad?

Pwomise, she repeated.

Promise, he agreed.

She nodded. The monsters scare me.

What monsters, honey? he asked, confused.

There are all diffwent kinds. Some are meaner den others.

Like the one that scared you earlier? He frowned, starting to understand.

"Mm-hmm. He was wearwy mean! He kilwed the other monster." She shuddered.

Jimmy struggled to stay calm and relaxed in front of her. While he was quickly coming to the conclusion that she was hallucinating and hearing things that weren’t there, he still wondered what a three-year-old–who had lived a very sheltered life—would know of death and murder? He and Sara didn’t even have a TV in the house!

Are all the monsters mean, Arrynna? he asked, careful to keep his tone neutral.

You’re mad, she whined, starting to cry again.

No, honey, I’m not mad. He tried to ease her worry.

Yes, you are, she cried around the thumb she had finally managed to get—and keep—in her mouth. You only say ‘Awynna’ when you’re mad!

"I’m not mad at you, sweetheart. Daddy’s mad at the monsters. I don’t like it when something scares my little girl," he told her, hoping to pacify her.

Oh, she said, easily placated, contentedly letting her thumb fall free as she snuggled into him.

Are all the monsters mean, princess? he tried again.

She shrugged. "Some aren’t as mean… Like the one on the swings. She’s kind of pwetty, except for her teeth—dey’re all pointy."

On the swings…right now?

Mm-hmm.

James looked at the swing set. There was nothing there. Reason told him there must be a breeze, and that was why one of the swings moved. Reason didn’t stop the hairs on the back of his neck from rising. He was letting a toddler unnerve him, and that wouldn’t do. Rynnie needed him to be in control. But where would she get the idea to make up pointy teeth? She had never been exposed to anything like that. Sara told her princess stories, for heaven’s sake!

Rynnie, sweetie, there’s no one on the swings, he told her gently.

Yes, there is, Daddy. You just can’t see her, she insisted, more confident now that she knew he wasn’t mad at her.

"Why can’t I see her?" he asked, trying to keep the concern out of his voice.

I don’t know. She shrugged, fiddling with one of the buttons on his shirt. Same weason as why nobody else ever sees dem, I guess.

And why is that? he pressed.

"I don’t know! she repeated with a huff. They just can’t… I wish I couldn’t see dem."

What if Daddy could take the monsters away? he asked her, feeling sick to his stomach. James hated putting kids on long-term medicine whenever it was avoidable, but the doctor in him knew it was the only option.

Could you? she exclaimed, a hopeful expression in her eyes that made her look far older than she was.

He didn’t like that expression. To him, it spoke volumes to how bad her condition was.

Yes, baby, I can, he promised, holding her close.

Daddy, you’re squishing me! she declared, oblivious to his worry.

Sorry, princess, he said, loosening his embrace but not letting go. How would you like to come into work with me tomorrow?

Yes, pwease. She smiled. She liked Daddy’s work—she always got lollipops.

Dinner! Sara’s voice carried out the open kitchen window.

***

Two Years Later

Daddy? Rynnie pouted, tugging on Jimmy’s hand. I’m tired. Can we go home, please?

Home? he replied, picking the tired girl up. But you said you wanted to go the park for your birthday. It was all you talked about this morning! Remember?

But I wasn’t tired this morning, she whined, resting her head on his shoulder.

Close your eyes, sweetheart, said Sara, reaching up to rub the girl’s back. We’ll wake you up when we get there.

Yes, Mama, she murmured, already half asleep.

Sara waited a few minutes to make certain Rynnie was fully asleep and double-checked that Jack was still focused on jumping sidewalk cracks.

Jimmy, how much longer does she have to stay on these meds? She’s just a kid. She’s supposed to be filled to bursting with energy, and instead she spends half her time asleep. She can’t even make it through school. It’s not like the medication is working, anyway, she snapped.

Tensions were high and they were both overtired. She and Jimmy had stayed up half the night. Rynnie kept bursting into their room during the night because there was a monster in her rocking chair. They had taken turns, every time, explaining to her that it wasn’t real so she didn’t need to be afraid. Then one of them would walk her back to bed and tuck her in. It was never long—ten minutes or maybe twenty—before she would come running back in. Sara wanted to let her sleep with them, but Jimmy was so adamant that it wouldn’t be good for her. It was just one in a long line of instances where they had proof the drugs weren’t working! Just the week before, Rynnie—who had been completely potty-trained by the time she was two and never had an accident—had wet herself because she’d been too afraid to go into the bathroom and too afraid to tell them there was a monster. It wasn’t healthy for her. Things were only getting worse, and their marriage was paying the price. She wondered how much more she and Jimmy could go on before they needed help.

"I know, Sara, but we have to follow the steps her doctor laid out…we have to be certain. If in three months, it’s still not working, then he’ll switch her to something else," he replied, sounding tired.

I don’t like it.

"And you think I do? he demanded, incredulous. God, Sara, don’t you think I want there to be a way to fix it without putting her through all this?"

I didn’t mean it like that, Jimmy. She sighed in a half-hearted apology.

Yeah, you never do, he snapped, picking up his pace.

James knew he hadn’t handled her concerns well. He just didn’t have it in him. He used to find it sweet—the way she needed him. He used to say she reminded him of spun glass—beautiful, precious, and fragile—and he had considered himself lucky that he got care for her, that she depended on him so, that she only trusted him with her gentle emotions. Now though, it was just another burden, and he was tired. They had two kids, one of whom had a lot of needs. He didn’t need a third kid! The fact remained, Sara needed kid gloves; he just couldn’t give that to her anymore. The strain of it all was showing in both of them. James was ashamed to admit it, but more than once he’d considered asking for a separation. A man could only take so much before he needed someone else to bear some of the burdens.

Can I go? pleaded Jack when they reached the park a few minutes later.

Wait a minute for your sister, reminded Sara, halting the enthusiastic child.

Rynnie? Princess, we’re here. Wake up, Jimmy whispered, lowering the child to the ground.

She blinked a few times as if getting her bearings. Impatient, Jack grabbed her hand.

Come on, Ryne! he insisted, racing off and pulling her after him.

Watch out for each other, Sara called after her kids. And stay away from the tree line!

Sara felt a small shudder when she looked out over the park. It was small, close, and convenient, but she had never liked it. There wasn’t a proper fence enclosing it because it backed up to a forest, and the line of large, old trees which surrounded the play equipment and benches in a half circle was considered its border. Since the park was small, most parents didn’t worry about their kids wandering off, because it was easy to keep an eye on them wherever they went. Still, Sara worried. She supposed she had heard too many news reports on the radio.

They settled themselves on one of the small wooden benches that overlooked the jungle gym and swings. Jimmy made a comment on the clouds moving in and his suspicion that they wouldn’t be able to stay too long. Sara just nodded, and they fell into a strained silence. Out of habit, they each took turns looking up to make sure the kids were all right. It would have been easy for onlookers to assume they were strangers. And that’s exactly what they felt like.

Jimmy? she hedged a while later, breaking the silence. Maybe we should head home now. We’ve been here a couple hours, and Rynnie was so tired. Besides, it really looks ready to rain.

All right. He sighed, standing. I’ll get— Sara, do you see them?

Yeah, they’re— Oh, God! They were by the slides not even two minutes ago! she exclaimed, panicked.

Jimmy took off, Sara on his heels.

Jack! Ryne! he bellowed, trying to guess where they might have gone from the slides.

Jack! Rynnie! Answer us! yelled Sara.

Knowing Jimmy was too big, she climbed into the jungle gym, twisting her way through the small metal